After everything Jay and Riley have gone through, will the war be the one thing to take away their safe place?
They thought they had it all figured out but as live goes on, they meet new obstacles and have to find new way to fight for each other.
W...
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Riley walked into the familiar building, her head down with her hood over her head - just as she always did. People greeted her as she walked past them, receiving nothing but a nod in return. They knew why she was the way she was, and they understood. So no one said a word about it, letting her go on her way. Riley went up the stairs, practically counting her steps until she stepped into the room that broke her heart all over again each time she raised her head up and looked around.
With her fragile hands, she pushed her hood back until it rested on her back and took her usual seat. There were many conversations happening around her as everyone gathered around, but she paid no mind to them. Riley sat still, waiting - like she always did.
"Riley, do you have anything you would like to share?"
Riley's head popped up, her eyes looking around the room to see everyone else already looking at her. She sat up straighter in her chair, clearing her throat. "Uh, well, nothing much has changed since last week." She scratched her eyebrow, leaning forward against her knees.
"Did you meet with your therapist?"
Riley let out a light scoff at the question, "Would I be here if I did?"
"Riley..."
She cut off the woman, "Don't Riley me, Theresa. I lost my husband weeks ago after he went to fight in a war that-" Riley sighed, feeling herself get caught up in her words. The expression on the women's faces around told her it caught them off guard, too. She hadn't said much in the past few weeks she'd participated in the support group.
"You can share with us, Riley. This is a safe place." One of the other woman told her, their eyes meeting across the room. Riley observed her shortly, brown haired woman with big blue eyes, average height and very fit looking.
"I wasn't okay with him going back, they just obligated him to go." Riley started, tears welling up her eyes. "And he went, because he wears his heart on his sleeve and he knew that's what he signed up for when he first went into the army. He said he'd be careful and that he'd come back for me and our kid..." Riley trailed off, a few tears rolling down her cheeks. "But he never did. Instead, I got those officers knocking at my door to tell me that my husband had been recovered after a long mission - and that he didn't make it." She burst into tears, hiding her face between her hands as the person beside her put a hand on her shoulder in support.
But it was nothing close to comfort for Riley. All she wanted was Jay.
The social worker leading the group left her words hanging in the air for a couple of seconds, looking around to see if someone else had something to say. When no other words were spoken, she thanked Riley - who eventually calmed down - for opening up and for being in the group. Riley put on a cold facade, simply nodding in response and crossing her arms over her chest. She barely contributed to the rest of the time they had together, barging out of the building as soon as she could.
